The officer leading the probe into the infamous case has also revealed for the first time how the search has now been narrowed to a list of '21 or 22' women.

Detectives investigating the 'Angel Meadow murder' are working with families across the world to identify the mystery victim – including one from as far afield as Tanzania.

The officer leading the probe into the infamous case has also revealed for the first time how the search has now been narrowed to a list of '21 or 22' women.

The remains of the young woman were unearthed by excavation workers at the new Co-op headquarters in Miller Street more than two years ago.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Rawlinson, leading the probe, said after being contacted by a family in Tanzania, police have 'good reason to believe' their loved one may be the victim.

Following widespread publicity of the case, it is understood families from Texas and Holland have also been spoken to.

An inquest into the woman's death heard how forensic tests showed the woman was killed between 1975 and 1988.

Examinations also show she was born in the early 1950s and was between 5ft 1in and 5ft 7in.

But as the murder investigation becomes an international inquiry, Det Chief Insp Joanne Rawlinson told the inquest the search was becoming more complex.

She said: “We did have 18 women who could be our woman but that that's now increased from members of the public who believe she could be their loved-one.

“Some of these families who've contacted us are from foreign countries and we've also made numerous trips to Ireland.

“One family contacted us from Tanzania and we have good reason to believe that this may be the right woman. However we are having trouble obtaining DNA samples from the authorities over there and these issues can be problematic.”

Forensics have previously revealed the victim was 'Caucasian' – defined as someone from Europe, west south or mid-Asia. It is understood the Tanzanian family are not originally from the east African country.

The woman’s skull and bones were unearthed by workers using a digger at the site of the Co-operative Group’s new £100m HQ in January 2010. She had not been buried in the wasteland but was covered by sections of carpet.

A post-mortem concluded she had suffered a fractured jaw, neck, collarbone and nose shortly before her death. Detectives believe she may also have been sexually assaulted.

She was wearing a jumper on her arms but nothing from the waste down. A pinafore dress which had tears to suggest it had been forcibly removed, a blue bra, a single shoe and tights were found near the body.

Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, deputy Coroner Graham Jackson said: “I do hope that Greater Manchester Police are able to continue with their investigation and that the person who inflicted these terrible injuries is brought to justice.”

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